OUTtv Proud Will Join Fuse’s Rapidly Growing Suite of DEI-Focused FAST Channels Including Shades of Black, the Leading Channel Celebrating Black Culture in the FAST Space; Backstage Which Spotlights Diverse Music Artists; and Upcoming Latino Vibes
NEW YORK, November 10, 2022 —Fuse Media, a Latino-owned, multiplatform entertainment company, today announced that in partnership with OUTtv, the world’s first LGBTQ+ network and streaming service, it is expanding its suite of DEI FAST channels with the launch of OUTtv Proud. Set for a 2023 launch, OUTtv Proud super serves LGBTQ+ audiences with a blend of rising stars and top talent in truly original programming. The service will be developed with the support of former Logo executives.
The new FAST channel will offer viewers an extensive collection of OUTtv’s original series, documentaries, films and specials which are custom-made to entertain, advocate for and galvanize global queer audiences. OUTtv Proud builds on the success of OUTtv’s SVOD, OUTtv.com that has seen year over year double-digit growth since launching in 2016. The announcement comes at a time when individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ represent the fastest-growing minority in the U.S., with particularly marked increases of LGBTQ+ identification in young, non-white communities, which make up the core of Fuse’s audience.
OUTtv Proud will join a roster of DEI-focused FAST channels that, via international carriage deals, connect the Fuse Media brand with viewers across the globe. These include Shades of Black, one of the most widely distributed Black content channel in the FAST space; Latino Vibes which is set to launch later this year and will be one of the only FAST channels offering English-language Latino content; and Backstage, spotlighting diverse music artists. In all, Fuse Media’s FAST channels saw Total Minutes watched increase more than fivefold in 3Q22 versus the year-ago quarter. Additionally, in October the channels surpassed over 1 billion minutes watched this year.
“OUTtv is dedicated to amplifying queer creators and storytelling by delivering programs by and for the LGBTQ+ community. While doing so we have increased our original commissions by more than double,” said OUTtv CEO Brad Danks. “Our robust catalog of originals is now large enough to launch a complementary FAST service, expanding our reach even further. The Fuse team has built a highly successful portfolio of FAST channels and we look forward to partnering with them on OUTtv Proud.”
“Fuse has gained tremendous traction by delivering quality programming that reflects today’s young multicultural audience. Our FAST channels have allowed us to extend those successes by spotlighting specific, diverse communities, such as LGBTQ+ people, that still don’t get their fair share of representation in media,” said Fuse Media Chairman & CEO, Miguel Roggero. “We’re excited to once again partner with our friends at OUTtv—this time on a huge venture that will answer an important need for LGBTQ+ viewers and their allies in the FAST channel universe.”
OUTtv Proud will launch with more than 400 hours of content, providing FAST viewers with the chance to watch popular series such as Call Me Mother, Hot Haus and Iconic Justice prior to the launch of their new seasons in 2023. In addition to programming from some of the most exciting LGBTQ+ creators and talent including trans activist and performer Miss Peppermint; legendary drag performers Trixie Mattel, Katya Zamolodchikova, Bob The Drag Queen and Willam; reality TV icon Tiffany Pollard and award-winning director Thom Fitzgerald. After launch, new programming will be added to the channel monthly, including new OUTtv original series.
Photo by Jiroe (Matia Rengel) on Unsplash
